Most Important Health Messages for Patients
For All Women
Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day and eat a healthy diet. Folic acid may protect babies against birth defects and may protect women against heart disease, cervical and colon cancer and possibly breast cancer.
For the Woman Who Is Trying to Get Pregnant
- Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day and eat a healthy diet. Folic acid may protect babies against birth defects and may protect women against heart disease, cervical and colon cancer and possibly breast cancer.
- Go for a pre-pregnancy checkup.
- Don’t smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
- Eat healthy foods, maintain a healthy weight and exercise.
- Avoid infections, hazardous chemicals and stress.
- Seek prenatal care as soon as you think you may be pregnant.
To learn more about preconception, patients may contact the Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education CenterSM at the March of Dimes or visit it on the Web.
For the Pregnant Woman
- Seek early and regular prenatal care as soon as you think you may be pregnant.
- Gain about 25 to 35 pounds if your weight was average for your height before pregnancy.
- Never try to lose weight during pregnancy.
- Don’t drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use illegal drugs during pregnancy. It’s never too late to stop or cut back.
- Ask your health care provider before taking medications or herbal teas or supplements during pregnancy.
- Call your health care provider right away if you think you are going into labor early.
- Know that women are strong and quite capable of giving birth.
- Be aware that your plans for the baby’s birth may have to change to protect the baby’s health.
- Identify a pediatrician for your baby before he or she is born.
To learn more about pregnancy, patients may contact the Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education CenterSM at the March of Dimes or visit it on the Web.
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